The One

Chapter 21~ The Decision

The whole night I keep thinking. Where did life bring me? I was this little girl who was so sure about what I wanted and as I grow older, I grow more confused. I wish I could be little again and have my mum and dad choose everything for me.

Tomorrow is a big day and I honestly have no idea what to do. The worst thing is that I know that my parents only want the best for me but the question is raised about whether I am ready to throw away my family's respect, that took my parents years to build, just like that. At this point everyone seems happy and excited and I don't think I want to ruin that. I know Hussain would never ask me to run away and knowing me, I'll probably end up marrying Atif for my family's honour. But the real question is, whether I'll be able to live with that decision I make for every single day for the rest of my life.

I decide to take a walk in the park just to clear my head and prepare myself for whatever happens tomorrow. Let's see where it all takes me. Shortly, Hussain surprises me from the back and faces me towards him, with his hands on my shoulders and says, 'Afreen, tomorrow is a big day for you and I know you are probably tensed about what will happen next to you.....to us, but I just want to let you know that all I want is for you to be happy, even if it means you don't marry me. I just want you to know that no matter what, I will always love you and I will always be there for you whenever you need me.' He pauses while tears start falling from his eyes, then from my eyes. 'Hussain please stop. You don't have to say anything.' He says, 'Afreen, no let me speak today. Trust me the moment you told me that you loved me was the moment I was the most happiest in my entire life. You know why? Because I had that sense of relief, that you know what, the person whom I have loved my whole life actually loves me back. Honestly, I only thought such things happen in movies. My feelings for you is unexplainable and my love for you is true. And you know what, true love is always about sacrificing for the person you love and this time I've been put on the test to do so. It's time for us to sacrifice our love for those we love the most in the world, our family. I love you and you know I always will but I can never offer you the things that Atif offers you in life.'

Hussain turns around and walks away wiping his tears. I wish I had something to say back to that, but he was right. It is our turn to sacrifice our love for our family's honour. I fall to the ground and cry, until I tell myself that, I can do it. After hours of wondering, I know what to do now. This is it.